Oats (Avena sativa) have a rich agricultural history, originating as a weed in ancient wheat and barley fields of the Fertile Crescent before becoming a cultivated crop in Europe around 1000 BCE. Their adaptability to cool, wet climates led to widespread cultivation in Northern Europe, particularly in regions like Scotland, Scandinavia, and Germany, where oats became a dietary staple. Today, the top oat-producing countries are Russia, Canada, Australia, Poland, and Finland. Russia and Canada dominate global production due to their vast arable lands and favorable climates, while Australia has emerged as a major exporter, particularly to Asian markets. Oats remain valued worldwide for their nutritional benefits and versatility in both human food and animal feed.
Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
---|---|---|
1 | Russia | 3,775,686 |
2 | Canada | 2,808,109 |
3 | Australia | 1,897,990 |
4 | Poland | 1,625,100 |
5 | Spain | 1,194,500 |
6 | United Kingdom | 1,123,000 |
7 | Brazil | 1,087,073 |
8 | Finland | 803,060 |
9 | Germany | 766,500 |
10 | China | 600,000 |
11 | United States of America | 578,220 |
12 | Sweden | 551,200 |
13 | Chile | 525,245 |
14 | Argentina | 506,718 |
15 | France | 479,910 |
16 | Ukraine | 467,900 |
17 | Belarus | 350,000 |
18 | Denmark | 331,060 |
19 | Turkey | 276,000 |
20 | Norway | 270,900 |
21 | Italy | 239,530 |
22 | Ireland | 229,460 |
23 | Romania | 209,850 |
24 | Czechia | 194,750 |
25 | Latvia | 182,900 |
26 | Kazakhstan | 182,279 |
27 | Lithuania | 170,250 |
28 | Mexico | 101,069 |
29 | Austria | 89,440 |
30 | Estonia | 77,500 |
31 | Hungary | 76,690 |
32 | Greece | 71,980 |
33 | South Africa | 69,950 |
34 | Croatia | 59,520 |
35 | Serbia | 55,954 |
36 | Uzbekistan | 53,700 |
37 | Ethiopia | 43,879 |
38 | Algeria | 40,461 |
39 | Portugal | 39,380 |
40 | Slovakia | 36,620 |
41 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 34,253 |
42 | Mongolia | 33,150 |
43 | Albania | 33,082 |
44 | Uruguay | 30,749 |
45 | New Zealand | 24,805 |
46 | Bulgaria | 24,260 |
47 | Bolivia | 23,395 |
48 | Peru | 22,249 |
49 | Belgium | 16,500 |
50 | North Korea | 13,997 |
51 | Azerbaijan | 11,633 |
52 | Switzerland | 7,359 |
53 | Netherlands | 7,270 |
54 | Luxembourg | 6,820 |
55 | Morocco | 6,390 |
56 | North Macedonia | 5,563 |
57 | Slovenia | 4,120 |
58 | Armenia | 4,071 |
59 | Kenya | 3,834 |
60 | Georgia | 3,200 |
61 | Tajikistan | 2,970 |
62 | Moldova | 2,400 |
63 | Tunisia | 1,638 |
64 | Kyrgyzstan | 1,094 |
Data from United Nations FAO Stat